Trachyphonus vaillantii Ranzani, 1821

Species Introduction

This species, the crested barbet, is an unmistakable small bird. It has a thick bill, very colourful plumage, and a small black crest.

Facial Markings

Its face is speckled yellow and red.

Body Plumage

Its belly is yellow with red speckles, its wings are black with white speckles, and it has a broad black band across its neck. Its head and body are primarily yellow with black and white feathers, and it has red markings on the end of its body.

Camouflage Adaptation

This colouring blends well into bush vegetation.

Vocalization

It produces a distinct trilling call.

Habitat Types

Its habitat includes forests, savannah, suburban gardens, woodland thickets, and watercourses.

Geographic Range

It occurs in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.